Drivers beware: Snowy conditions along Coquihalla with winter storm warning
Posted November 13, 2020 11:04 am.
Last Updated November 13, 2020 11:07 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If the travel restrictions because of COVID-19 aren’t enough, the weather may be another reason for you to stay at home this weekend.
The Coquihalla is under a winter storm warning, with up to 35 centimetres of snow expected before Saturday morning.
Dave Duncan with Yellowhead Road & Bridge — which services a 120 kilometre stretch of the Coquihalla from just north of Hope to south of Kamloops — says his trucks are out sanding and clearing the highway.
“So anyone out driving today is going to see snowy conditions, slippery sections and compact snow,” he explains, adding trucks will be working throughout the weekend.
He says there was about 25 cm of snow up on the Snowshed hill overnight Thursday.
“Just looking at the forecast for tonight and over the weekend and into Monday, it looks like we’re going to see snow off and on over that entire duration. We’ll see some heavy snowfall at times,” Duncan says. “We’ll have our trucks out 24/7 during that period.”
When snowfall is expected to be heavier, such as during this winter storm warning, Duncan says the company will bring more people in to help with the load.
With British Columbians urged to limit non-essential travel, even within the province, Duncan hopes that will mean fewer cars on the highway.
“For those that have to travel, you know the trucking industry, they’ve got to keep goods and services flowing across the province and across the country, we know they have to be out there. For anyone who doesn’t have to travel for essential services, this is not the time, probably, to be out there,” he adds.
Drivers who encounter one of these trucks or plows are reminded to slow down and don’t pass on the right.
“Often the freeway trucks have their wings out and the wings are on the right-hand side. So sometimes you can be approaching a truck and just give them space,” Duncan says.
On Vancouver Island, there’s a Wind Warning for Victoria, with gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour expected.
For now, it appears BC Ferries has not experienced any delays because of the weather.
Drivers are reminded that winter tires with either the “M” and “S” labelling or the three-peaked mountain-snowflake symbol on them are required when travelling outside of the Lower Mainland until April 30.
